Method for providing an operator of a vehicle with operating information

• US 10,347,153 B2
• Filed: 07/04/2008
• Issued: 07/09/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Eklund, Maria, Lindblom, Jonny
• Primary Examiner(s): Musselman, Timothy A
• Application Number:
  US12/668,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20100184005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,022 Days
• Field of Search: 434 26- 71
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/16 Control of vehicles or other craft simulators G09B9/02

Abstract

A method for providing an operator of a vehicle with operating information includes providing at least one predetermined demonstration of the operating information, deciding if one of the at least one predetermined demonstration is desired to be presented to the operator and, if desired, automatically presenting the demonstration to the operator in an operator compartment of the vehicle when the operator is in an operational position.

Claims

1. A method for providing an operator of a vehicle with operating information for at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions, comprising the steps of

automatically determining operator information regarding an identity of the operator with an automatic recognition system,

automatically operating a presentation means and presenting at least one predetermined demonstration to the operator in an operator compartment of the vehicle based on information consisting of the operator information, that the operator is in an operational position, and that the operator information includes that it is a first time that the operator has entered a specific vehicle or a specific vehicle type within a certain time period, and

determining that the operator information includes that it is not the first time that the operator has entered the specific vehicle or the specific vehicle type within a certain time period and not automatically operating the presentation means and presenting the at least one predetermined demonstration to the operator except upon request for a presentation of the at least one predetermined demonstration by the operator.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one demonstration comprises visual information.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the presentation means comprises a screen, the method comprising the step of presenting the visual information on the screen in the operator compartment.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one demonstration comprises audio information.

5. A method according to claim 1, automatically determining if one of the at least one demonstration is desired to be presented to the operator on the basis of operator information.

6. A method according to claim 1, determining if one of the at least one demonstration is desired to be presented to the operator on the basis of an active operator input.

7. A method according to claim 1, comprising the step of determining an experience level of the operator and in response to the determined experience level selecting a suitable demonstration of the at least one demonstration.

8. A method according to claim 1, making the at least one demonstration available for selection by an operator request and automatically presenting the at least one demonstration if requested.

9. A method according to claim 1, comprising the step of providing a plurality of different predetermined demonstrations and presenting a specific demonstration from said plurality of different predetermined demonstrations.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises information regarding an operator environment in the compartment.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises information regarding available ergonomic adjustments of an operator environment.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises a walk-through of a predetermined set of available operator environment adjustments in the operator compartment.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises recommendations on variations in the operator behaviour and/or position during a work shift.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises information regarding operator controlled elements in the compartment for operating the vehicle.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises information regarding an optimum use of each of a predetermined set of operator controlled elements.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises a walk-through of a predetermined set of operator controlled elements.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises information regarding the function of each of a predetermined set of operator controlled elements.

18. A method according to claim 1, comprising the step of determining if the vehicle is in a non-operative state and only automatically presenting the at least one demonstration to the operator if the vehicle is in the non-operative state.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the non-operative state is defined by the vehicle standing still.

20. A method according to claim 18, comprising the step of interrupting the at least one demonstration if the state of the vehicle is changed to an operative state.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a work machine.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises information for managing a work implement.

23. A method according to claim 21, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises information for controlling a hydraulic system which is operatively connected to a work implement.

24. A method according to claim 21, wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises information for propelling the work machine.

25. A method according to claim 21, wherein the operating information for the at least, one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises information for controlling a powertrain which is operatively connected to ground engaging elements.

26. A computer readable medium including a computer program for implementing the method as claimed in claim 1.

27. A computer programmed with a computer program for implementing the method as claimed in claim 1.

28. A method for providing an operator of a vehicle with operating information for at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions, comprising the steps of

automatically determining operator information regarding an identity of the operator with an automatic recognition system,

automatically operating a presentation means and presenting at least one predetermined demonstration to the operator in an operator compartment of the vehicle based on the operator information when the operator is in an operational position and when the operator information includes that it is a first time that the operator has entered a specific vehicle or a specific vehicle type within a certain time period, and

determining that the operator information includes that it is not the first time that the operator has entered the specific vehicle or the specific vehicle type within a certain time period and not automatically operating the presentation means and presenting the at least one predetermined demonstration to the operator except upon request for a presentation of the at least one predetermined demonstration by the operator,

wherein the vehicle is a work machine,

wherein the operating information for the at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions comprises information regarding an optimum use of the vehicle functions, the method further comprising

monitoring use of the vehicle functions, and

after a predetermined period of use of the vehicle functions by the operator, comparing the operator'"'"'s use of the vehicle functions to optimum use of the vehicle functions, and providing feedback to the operator regarding the comparison.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the vehicle functions comprise powertrain functions.

30. A method according to claim 28, wherein the vehicle functions comprise work implement functions.

31. A method for providing an operator of a vehicle with operating information for at least one of operating vehicle equipment and performing vehicle functions, comprising the steps of

automatically determining operator information regarding an identity of the operator in an operator compartment of the vehicle with an automatic recognition system, the operator information including whether it is the first time that the operator has entered a specific vehicle or a specific vehicle type within a certain time period,

in response to information consisting of determining that the operator is in an operational position in the operator compartment and that it is the first time that the operator has entered the specific vehicle or the specific vehicle type within the certain time period automatically operating a presentation means and presenting at least one predetermined demonstration to the operator, and

in response to determining that it is not the first time that the operator has entered the specific vehicle or the specific vehicle type within the certain time period not automatically operating the presentation means and presenting the at least one predetermined demonstration to the operator except upon request for a presentation of the at least one predetermined demonstration by the operator.